The benefits of fasting on the immune system

Immunity involves the body's ability to distinguish a foreign substance from its own and to neutralise, eliminate or metabolise the invader. When a foreign substance (antigen) enters the body, complex chemical and mechanical activities (antibody production) are triggered to protect the body's cells and tissues from damage.

If our immune system is not functioning properly, our body will not be able to fight off pathogens. So how can fasting help our immune system regain its strength? Here is the answer!

How fasting regenerates the immune system

Ayurveda describes fasting as Langhana or Upavasa. Ayurveda considers fasting as a therapy, and as a first-line treatment to restore imbalanced bodily functions. According to Ayurveda, fasting helps to restore 'the fire of digestion', which in turn restores our health. Fasting is an important step in the Panchakarma, or purification therapy, as practised in Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, prolonged fasting cycles of 48-120 hours help the immune system to regenerate. Fasting causes cells to enter a state of self-renewal. Fasting also supports weight control, but it has health benefits beyond weight loss. Fasting can also help reduce the symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

In the elderly, a decline in the immune system contributes to increased susceptibility to disease. Introducing fasting cycles can help destroy older and poorly functioning immune cells and help generate new ones. It can also force the body to use up stores of glucose, fat and ketones. Prolonged fasting can also reduce levels of certain substances, such as IGF-1, which have been linked to ageing and the development of tumours.

Benefits of seasonal fasting:

1. It helps to regenerate immune cells. During fasting, the body uses up stored glucose, fat and ketones and regenerates worn and damaged immune cells.
2. It slows down the aging process. Fasting increases the process of autophagy, the destruction of senescent cells in the body and the formation of new cells, thus having an anti-ageing effect. During intermittent fasting, autophagy is triggered automatically. Fasting gives the body the space and time to remove dead cell debris and waste products and promote the formation of new cells. Fasting can therefore help to correct and replace defects in the body.
3. It helps to break bad eating habits. Snacking and emotional eating are often out of control throughout the day. Intermittent fasting helps us to recognise our bad eating habits and break the cycle of disordered eating. Fasting helps to re-align the hunger signals our body sends us. Intermittent fasting can change our relationship with food. When we end a fast, we often appreciate and enjoy our meals more than before. True hunger can make even the simplest food the most delicious meal in the world!

How to fast safely?

Fasting correctly is essential if you want to benefit from the effects of fasting on the immune system. It is important to know that fasting can have negative effects as well on the body and the immune system! If you fast for more than a few days, your body will deplete a significant proportion of your white blood cells. However, if fasting is done correctly for 2-3 days, the body can survive without damage.

It is important to prepare for fasting in the days before. During the week before the fast, slowly wean yourself off coffee, sugar, alcohol and any other stimulants. Slowly reduce your intake of meat, fish and dairy products until your body gets used to eating only fruit and vegetables.

Vegetable soups are an important part of the preparation for a fast, as they are hydrating, filling and light. In the days before the fast, you can eat fruit, seeds and nuts, and fruit and vegetable juices, but the emphasis should be on vegetables. All this helps to prepare the digestive system for the fast.

After fasting

Fasting can be followed by a few days on a raw food diet. The body should be slowly reintroduced to solid foods. You can wait at least a week before reintroducing meat, dairy and fish into your diet. It is advisable to start with lighter foods, nuts, seeds and grains after fasting.

Important to know: Fasting should ideally be done under medical supervision, especially for people with underlying medical conditions or those on long-term medication. Medical supervision ensures that fasting is done safely, with adequate control of hydration levels and potential complications. Medical supervision helps reduce the risk of adverse effects and ensures that fasting is adapted to individual health conditions.

If you're interested in how fasting affects individuals of different Ayurvedic body types, read our related blog post!

Source: Benefits of fasting for the immune system, https://shop.dabur.co.uk/blogs/blog/benefits-of-fasting-on-the-immune-system